Sunday, May 2, 2010

I made my dress.

Are you like me, always searching through the old paper patterns in op shops and garage sales just in case there is one you actually might make?

Most often I don't buy these patterns because I don't have a great history of pattern following, but yesterday I did.

I bought this pattern and fabric at a garage sale on the way home from Ballarat yesterday.

I sewed it up today.

I followed the pattern all the way through, including the properly inserted zip at the back and the darts pointing to my nipples. I also did the facing the way it told me to, but for some reason when I sewed it in, it made creases in the neckline.

I added the ruffle at the bottom because it needed something more than the pattern gave me.

To be honest the outside looks pretty good but the inside is a bit of a mess. If you see me down the street, don't go lifting up my skirt or anything.

I'm pretty happy with it though. And I'm extra pleased I saved the most special bit of garage sale fabric for my second try of the pattern because there are a few things I'll do differently next time.

This is today's motif.

I crocheted it up on the spot without a pattern to cover up the creases in the neckline. I'll sew it on properly later.

The pattern, McCall's 8818, is from 1997 so its not quite vintage yet.

55 comments:

Mmmm where's the crocheted ricrac? And the other two fabrics for the back? Don't you want to look cutesey like your girls?!! Seriously it looks fabulous. Well done for making something for yourself for a change too. I think I should do that too.

It looks fantastic & I love the frill! You've inspired me with your May motifs, I have tried over & over again to get one right & I've made something but it doesn't resemble the picture at all! More practice is in order, I am determined to get it right..eventually...

Now I see why your girls look so adorable in their outfit shots - they clearly take after their gorgeous mum! Dress looks fantastic and i think the frill is definitely the icing on the cake. for some reason I was expecting to see a close up of the darts but then realised that that would also mean a close up of your chest...at least the pattern didn't call for two giant flowers to be placed where your nipples are meant to go. i hate it when that happens!

Its absolutely gorgeous Kate! I have a couple of vintage dress patterns in the stash that I've picked up at the oppy... one of these days, I'll actually have the courage to have a go.PS - the ruffle is the perfect finish.

1997 was last millenium so I suppose you could call it vintage???What exactly is the definition of vintage? I suppose it depends on the age of the person using the term. For me vintage is last millenium but for my son vintage is probably anything from last year!Great dress by the way and today's motif is fab. Loving the colour.

what an awesome dress! as for shifting around always looking for patterns in op-shops...I'm always looking for old sheets and pillow cases to use as fabric! My closest one I'm sure thinks I'm odd, since I pop in a couple time s a week and each time only buy one pillow case. they must think i have heaps of pillows or am crazy! hehe. Keep up the awesome sewing!

Yay for homemade dresses! Thank goodness for motif's to cover up not quite perfect bits. It looks fab, especially the ruffle at the bottom. We don't give ourselves nearly enough excuses to twirl around.

I love what Leonie said! I like to have clothes I can eat in as well.You must make more in all sorts of colours. I scour through patterns but secretly hate them, buy them anyway but never use them. Whats with that?

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.